As I headed upstream on the Assabet River today, I couldn't help but wonder why this section was not designated as "Wild & Scenic". It is a beautiful stretch of river and I allowed myself to be hynotized by it today.
Earlier, when I wheeled my boat to the landing I passed this granite post bearing words that proved prophetic...
I had only covered a short distance when I encountered this man-bird preparing to return to earth...
Also demonstrating some pretty good flying skill was this osprey...
Staying out of the sky today, understandably, was this family of mute swans...
Other avian performers seen today were red-winged blackbirds, eastern kingbirds, tree swallows, a belted kingfisher, goldfinches, and a few ducks.
In addition to patrolling for trash, another objective of today's trip was to find the location where the B & M Railroad's Marlboro Branch crossed the river before reaching Gleasondale. Between Ice House Landing and Gleasondale there were two river crossings. The one near Boon Pond outlet is very obvious but I had yet to see the location closer to Gleasondale. I found it to be about a half mile downstream of the Route 62 bridge and took this photo showing the remains of one abutment...
And another photo looking down the old railroad grade towards the village...
This view was hidden behind a small island and required entering a backwater to see.
Just before reaching Gleasondale, I ran into most of today's trash in this snag...
It coughed up 9 nip bottles along with 6 of the more conventional sized and a few coffee cups as well.
The snag was located just a short distance below the Route 62 bridge. The river above the bridge had plenty of fast flowing water today and after snapping this photo from under the bridge, I turned around and began my trip downriver...
The trip back to Ice House Landing was fast and smooth and upon reaching the landing my trash haul posed for a quick photo...
My total for the day was 34 pieces of trash. Of these, 22 were recyclable (3 redeemable) and 12 were misc. rubbish such as spray cans, bubblewrap, styrofoam etc. My YTD total stands at 2570.
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